Casing suspension head



Feb 4, 1941- D. L. DRxcoLL 2,230,589

CASING SUSPENSION HEAD Filed June 13, 1958 Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES CASING SUSPENSION HEAD Dennis L. Driscoll, South Gate: Calif., assignor to Lawrence F. Baash, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application June13, 1938, Serial No. 213,434

4 Claims.

This invention relates to well equipment and relates more' particularly to .casing heads for suspending the casings of wells, such as oilb wells and gas wells. A general object of this invention 5 is to provide a casing head that is simple -and inexpensive, and that materially facilitates the.

dependable suspension of the casings of a well.

Another object ofthis invention is to provide a casing head embodying suspension members or sections adapted to be welded to the strings of casing while the same are maintained under tension by the hoisting equipment, or otherwise, to support or suspend the casing strings and maintain the tension thereon following the disassociation of the hoisting equipment from them and following the cutting off of the upperfportions of the casings.

Another object of this invention is to provideA zo a casing head of the character mentioned emplurality of strings of casing.

An important object of this invention is to prol vide a casing head of the character mentioned i-n which the welds between the casing strings and the suspension sections are relieved of or protected against 'the fatiguing and breaking vibra- 'i Itions 'of the casings to dependably support the bers, thereby eliminating the necessity for packing at these points andassuring positive, dependable seals.

Another object of thisin'vention is to provide a. casing head that is compact .and short and capable of being installed in the well derrick cellar so that all of its connections may be installed below the derrick floor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a casing head in which vertically spaced welds are provided between each casing string and its suspension section or member and extensive engagement is provided between each casing and its suspension member assuring strong positive vibration resisting connections.

Another object of this invention is to provide a casing head of the character mentioned that embodies novel means for suspending the inner casing string or tubing. l

A further object of this invention is to provide a casing head that may be easily and quickly installed. f

bodying means for independently suspending a-A a casing head of the character mentioned inv The various' objects and features of my inven-` tion will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of the improved casing head provided by this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary .horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line l0 2--2 on Fig. l. Fig. 3is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation vof the casing head ofthe present inv ntion with a portion broken away to appear l5 in vertical cross section illustrating a slightly modified form of connecting means or vwelding means, and Fig. 5r isfan enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated byline 5 5 on Fig. 4. 20

The .casing head of the present invention is l capable of embodiment in forms forcarrying or suspendingy any number of strings of well casing or tubing. In the drawing I have shown the head employed in connection with asurface string or` 25 outer casing string I0, a second string of casing I I and a third or inner string I2 of casing or tubing. It is to be understood that the particular application of the invention illustrated in the drawing is not to be construed as limiting or restricting the 30 scope of the invention.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1,

2 and 3 of the drawing may be said to comprise, generally, a base section I4, means I5 for securing the surface string I0 to the base section I4, a 35 suspension member or section I6 on the base section I4, means Il' for securing the casing string Il to the section I6, an' upper suspension section I8, and means I9 for securing the third string I2 to the section I8. Y

The base section I4 forms the casing head section or member for the surface string or outer' casing string I0 and supports the other suspension members or sections I6 and I8 of the head. The base section I4 is an upright tubular member 45 having a. central vertical opening 20. A radially projecting flange 2I of substantial width is provided on the lower end of the-section I4 and is adapted to rest or bear on la'. suitable support to carry the head. In practice the base flange 2l 50 i may rest on a support at the'fioor of the derrick cellar. A radially projecting flange 22 is provided on the upper end portion of the base section I4. The upper surface `of the ange 22 is preferably substantially horizontal. Reinforcing 55 y vertical extent and accurately or closely receives the casing string I0 so that its wall has extensive cooperation with the surface. of the casing string to absorb or eliminate vibration ofthe casing.` The opening. is of uniform diameter so that its wall cooperates with the external surface of the casing string throughout the vertical extent of the base section I 4. 'I'he wall thickness of the section I4 at a point or zone adjacent its flange 2I is preferably reduced for purposeswhich will become evident.

The means I5 for securing the surface string or outer casing string Il to the base section I4 is in the nature of a welding means or welded connecting means. The upper end of the casing string III is preferably cut oil.' substantially ush'with the upper end of the section I4 and the meansvI5 includes an annular weld 24 connecting or joining the upper end portions of the section I4 and the casing string I0. It may be preferred to bevel or are the upper end position of the opening 20 to receive the weld 24. The upper surface of the weld 24 is preferably about flush with the upper surface of the section I4. In the preferred construction the weld 24 is continuous or annular to form a closure or seal about the casing string I0, if a seal is required at this point.

'I'he means I5 further includes welds Joining the casing string Il to the section I4 at a point or plane below the weld 24. A` series or row of circumferentially spaced openings or windows 25 is formed in the wall ofthe section I4. It is pre` ferred to provide the windows 25 inthe wall portion of the section I4 of reduced thickness and to locate them in spaced adjacent relation to the base flange 2'I to be a substantial distance below the .weld 2 4. Welds 25 are made 0r provided in the windows 25 to connect or join the walls of the windows and the periphery of the casing string I0. There is preferably a. large number of windows 25 of substantial size so that the welds -25 may be numerous and of substantial extent. The windows 25 arelocated and proportioned to facilitate the ready provision or formation of the welds 24. It will be understoodv how the vertically spaced weld 24 and welds 24 serve to securely and dependably connect the casing string Il with the base section I4. It is to be particularly noted that the extensive engagement of the external surface of the casing string Illwith the wall of the opening 2II prevents relative vibration between the casing string and the base section I4 and thus protects the welds 24 and 2l against the fatiguing and breaking eil'ects of such 'vibration. The extensive engagement oi' the casing string III with the wall of the opening 241s at or- Ports and pipes are provided to take oiI gas and fluid from th'e casing string Il and,`v if necessary n to introduce fluid to the casing string III to kill .the wall of the base section I4. spaced between the windows 25 and the flangethe well, etc. Threaded ports 21 are provided in 'I'he ports 21 are vided in the wall of the tubular section I5.

cut or drilled in the wall of the casing string to .register with the ports 21. Pipes 2l extend from the ports 21 and communicate with the interior of the casing Il for the purposes mentioned above.

'I'he suspension member orsection I5 restson or is carried by the base section I4 and is provided to suspend the casing string II. The section I4 is a tubular spool-like element intended to be arranged on the section I4 when the casing string II is in condition for landing or suspending. An outwardly projecting radial flange 2l is provided on the lower end of the section I4 to oppose the ange 22 of the section I4. It is pre'- i'erred to provide packing means or sealing means between the4 flanges 22 and 2D. An annular groove 3| is provided in the upper side of the flange 22 and carries suitable packing 32. An annular bead or tongue 32 projects from the under side of the flange Il and enters the groove 2| to compress the packing 22. It will be observed that the packing means just described is at the upper endof the section I4 and is conveniently accessible. Bolts 24 are passed through aligned openings in the flanges 22 and 35 to secure the section Ilto the base section I4. An annular outwardly projecting flange 35 is provided on the upper end of the section I6, Reinforcing webs 24 may be provided on the section I5 and may extend between its flanges 3l and 35.

The central longitudinal opening 21 of the section I6 is co-axial with the opening 20 and is provided to pass or receive the casing string II. In

accordance with the invention the opening 21'is proportioned to'elosely or accurately receive the casing string I I so that its wall has extensive engagement with the casing. This engagement is such that it prevents vibration of the casing string IIrelative to the head section I5.

f seal about the upper end of the string. Thusthe weld 28 makes it unnecessary to employ other packing means for sealing between the casing 'string II and the section I4. The upper portion of the opening 21 mayv be fiaredor enlarged to receive theweid Il.

The means I1 further includes welds connecting the casing string II with the section. II below the weld 35. A row or series of circumferentially spaced lateral openings or windows 35 is pro- The windows Il are spaced between the upper and .lower ends of the section I5`and are preferably 'I'he `weld Il andthe welds 4l securely and dependabiy attach the casing string II to the section Il. It is to be observed that the weld 22 and the welds 40 are at or adjacent the extensive area of engagement of the casing string II with the wall oi' the opening `31. The engagement of the casing I I- with the wall of the opening 31 prevents vibration and flexure of the casing string relative to the section I6 and thus prevents such vibrations and nexure from tatisuing and breaking the welds 38 and 4l. Y

The section I6 is preferably ported to permit 5 the escape of gas and iluid fromk the casing string III and to provide for the introduction of duid to the casing string Il. Ports 4I areprof vided inthe wall of the section I6 in a plane below the windows 3S and pipes 42 extend outwardly 10' from the ports 4I. The opening 3'I of the section I6 has grooves 4I* extending downwardly from the ports 4I to the lower end of the section or the opening 31 to maintain the ports 4I in communication with the upper end of the casing string Il. i e 'I'he suspending section I8 is the upper section of the head. It is to be imderstood that where the well has more casing strings than shown in the drawing, sections similar to the suspending section I 6 may be stacked one upon the Vother with the lowermost section on the section I6 for the purpose of suspending the additional casing strings. 'Ihe section I8, or a section of similar construction but of di'erent dimensions, is arranged on the uppermost welded-on suspension section. In the case illustrated in the drawing the section I8 is supported on the upper welded-on section I 6 to suspend the innermost string or tubing string I2.

'Ihe section I8 is a` tubular cap-like member provided at its lower end with a radially projecting ilange 44. Bolts 45 are passed through openings in the anges and 44 to secure the section I8 to the section I6.A Packing means is provided 35 to seal between the sections I6 and I8. This packing means includes a groove 46 formed in the upper side of the ange 35 and carrying packing 41. It will be observed that the packing means between the sections I6 and I8 occurs at the up.

per end of the section I6 where it is readily ac` cessible. The section I8 extends upwardly from its ilnnge 44 and its upper end portion is reduced in diameter. In accordance with the invention' this reducedupper end portion ot the section I8 45 is internally and externally threaded to receive a nipple or tube 49. In the typicall case illustrated the tube 48 is threaded in thereduced upper portion of the section I8. Ports 50 are provided in the wall of the section I8 above its flange 50 44 and pipes 5I extend'outwardly from the ports 5I. escape' through the pipes 5I and the pipes 5I may beV employed to introduce :duid to the casing string II.

The means I9 serves to suspend the innermost string or tubing string I2.from the section I8. The means I 8 includes a depending tubular iiange 52 on the interior of the section I8. The internal` diameter of the ange 52 may be substantially 00 the same Aas that of the reduced upper portion of the section I8. The iiange-ti! is spaced inwardly from the surrounding wall of the section I8 to leave an annular groove placing the pipes 5| in communication with the upperv end of the 85 casing string II. 'I'he means further includes a sleeve or nipple 53 threaded into the flange 52.

The upper portion of the nipple 53 is preferably thick-walledl or heavy. The lower portion of the nipple 53 is reduced in external diameter and is 0 adapted to be threaded in a cenar 54 ,on the upper end of the tubing string I2. It will be apparent how the, nipple 53 serves to connect the string I2 with the section I8 tobe suspended.

therefrom. The nipple53 forms a somewhat ex- 73 ible connection between thestring I2 and the Gas or fluid from the casing string II mayv section I8 and prevents thetubing from breaking oil' or from being subjected to strains in the.event that there is a slight misalignment of the tubing string.

Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing illustrate a slightly 5 modiied means for securing or suspending a casing string 68 from a section I6a of the casing head. It may be assumed that the member or section I6* illustrated in the drawing supports an inner or intermediate casing string and oc- 10 cupies a position in the head similar to that of the section I6 described above. The section I6* may be similar in shape and construction to the above described section I6 being a tubular member provided with a central vertical opening :nL and 15 having a projecting base ange 3Iln and a radially projecting top ange 35. Bolts 34n may secure the section I6'L to the casing head section on which it rests.

VThe means for securing the casing string 68 to 20 the section I6a comprises a weld 6I securing the upper end of the casing string 60 to the upper end portion of the section I6. The weld 6 I is preferwardlyirom the groove 60 `to the exterior of the 30 section |63. An annular or continuous weld 64 is provided in the groove 62 to assist in securing thecasing string 60 to the section |68. 'The ports, or windows 63 make the groove 62 accessible from the exteriorof the section I6a andrfaclitate the' 35 provision or formation of the weld 64. The windows 63 make it passible to provide a continuous or annular weld 64 which. may form a iiuid seal about the casing string 60. The opening 3lEl closely receives the casing string 60 andthe-casing has 40 extensive engagement `with the-wall of the open-v ing. This engagement prevents vibration of the `casing string 68. and fatiguing and breaking of" the welds 6I and 64. The weld 64 is spaced below.

the weld 6 I and occurs between theV ends of the 45 vention will be-readily understood from the fore-v 50A going detailed description. Referring now to Figs.

1, 2 and 3, vthe-lower section I4 may be readily arranged about the upper end. of the surface string I0 when thel same has been cemented in the usual manner. The weld 24-andwe1ds 26 may be 55 easily and quickly madeto -secure the casing string I 0 to the base section I4 l and to .provide a uid tight .seal about the string II).A Following the deepening of the Welland the setting and ce- .menting of the casing string II the vsection I 6 V60 I may be arranged about the string II and lowered to its position on the section I4. AIn accordance with the usual practice the string II may be put under tension or stretched and maintained in -this condition throughout the cementing process. An 55' additional stretch or strain is placed on the string Il and the string is secured to the section I6 and is maintained while the welds 38' and 4I) are formed. The hoisting equipment of the derrick V or any other suitablemeans'maybe employed to 70.

maintain the section II under tension prior to and during its connection-.to the section I6. In accordance 'with' the invention the welds. and;` if desired, the weld 38,.may be made prior to thecutting oi of the upper portion of the casing,75

string H. In other words, the string il may be secured to or welded to the section i8 before its upper end part is cut on'. Following the welding of the casing string IIto the section i6 and when the welds 38 and 40 have cooled, the means employed to maintain the tension on the string may be disconnected from it and the string Il may be cut off adjacent the plane of the upper end of the section I6. The welds 38 and l0 securely attach the casing string Il to the section i6 to suspend the string and to maintain the stretch or tension in it. When it becomes desirable or necessary to suspend the string I2 the tubing string I2 is connected with the section i8 by the 'nipple 53 and the section is lowered to its position on the section I8. When the 'bolts 45 have been arranged inplace the assembly is complete.

It is to be noted that the casing head provided by the present invention does not embody packing means for sealing between the casing strings and the h ead sections that is subject to deterioration and that requires reconditioning. 'I'he welds securing the casing strings to the head sections are fully protected against vibration and, therefore, are not subject to failure. The head is compact and short and, therefore, is suitable for installation in the derrick cellar. The various parts of the head-are simpleand inexpensive .to'manufacture, and are convenient toinstall.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications Vof my invention, I do not wish to be limited vor restricted to the speciilc details herein set forth,` but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

, Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a casing head for suspending a well casing, a member having an opening receiving the casing, an annular groove inthe wall of the opening and lateral windows joining the groove to make the same accessible from the exterior of the member, and an annular weld in the groove securing the casing to the member, the size and spacing of said windows allowing the ready formation of said annular weld.

2. In a casing head for suspending a well casing, a section having an opening receiving the casing, vertically spaced welds securing the casing to the section, 'the opening being proportioned so that its wall vhas extensive cooperation with the casing to protect the welds against vibration of the casing, the casing having a lateral port between the vertically spaced welds and the section having a lateral port registering with the port in the casing, and a. pipe extending from the port in the section.

3. In a casing head'for suspending a well' casing, a suspension section having a vertical opening receiving the casing, the opening being proportioned to have an extensive portion of its wall in engagement with the casing, vertically spaced welds securing the casing to the section at said wall portion of the opening, at least one of said welds being annular to form a seal between the section and casing, the casing and section having later-a1 ports spaced between said vertically spaced welds, and a fluid connection for the port in the casing whereby fluid may be introduced into the casing. f

4. In a casing head for suspending a well casing, a member having an opening receiving the casing, an annular groove in the wall of the opening and lateral windows joining the groove to make the same accessible from the exterior of the member, an annular weld between the upper end of the member and section, an annular weld in the groove securing the casing to the member, the size and spacing of the windows allowing the ready formation of the last named weld, the member and casing having registering lateral ports spaced between said annular welds, and a pipeextending from the port in the mem-ber.

DENNIS L. DRISCOLL. 

